The Washington critic., 1887-01-11
wAsurNerov, JAYuAnY II, 1881
THE PRESIDENT AND HOME RULE.

w ArHlNhAb JAN am 80 ANS''
THE PRESIDENT AND HOME RULE.
In the carly period of President
Cltvcland's Administration, Colonel
Bob Taylor of Tennessee NOW the
Governor of that statc) was an appll.
cant for the position of Marshal of the
District of Columbia. The Congress
sional delegation of the State called
upon the President and in their most
persuasive manner urged the appoint
mcnt of Col. Taylor as District Marshal.
The President listened patiently to
their eloquent pleas and then replied;
"Genllemen. I've no doubt of the most
excellent character and qualifications Of
Colonel Taylor, but you must see that
! am restricted IN mni;ing such appoint.
monts rs this by the home rule plank
of the Democratic platform, which
provides that local citizens shall be
selected for Federal Offices in the Ter
ritories, and this applies to the District
of Columbia"
The chairman OF the delegation made
a jocose reply, to the effect that some
times party platforms were interpreted
as for campaign purposes only. But
tie President remained firm in his
position, and theupon the delegation
Withdrew Colonel Taylor's application.
Later on, 10 compliance with his
high regard Tor the homc.rule pink of
tie Democratic platform, he appointed
Nh 4. A. Wilson, citizen of Wash
ipgton, as United States Marshal for
the District of Columbia, thus illus
trating his faith by his works. Mr..
Wheatley's appointment as Distric!
Commissioner accorded with the same
theory.
Subsequently, however, cloud with
q dark lining obscured the Executive
vision, and Mr.. Cleveland appointed
Mr.. Matthews, a colored politician from
Albany, n. Y, as Recorder of Deeds
for this District-an Office of which the
rich emoluments are contributed eX-
clusively by the tax payers of the
District.
If there is any one Office above all
others in the Presidents gift, which by
every principle of justice, right aud
fair play, and in line with the home.
rule declarations of both the great po.
ltical parties, ought to be bestowed
upon citizen of the territory or "res'
ervation, in which the Office islocated
it is the one now held by the gentle mar
from Albany.
Nor did the appointment of Mr.
Matthews prove an exceptional case
we are sorry 10 say. The Presiden
has since appointed Mr., Leslie of Ken
tucky, as Governor Of Montana, not
withs,auding the strong endorsement
by the citizens of that Territory o
Major Maginnis, for twelve years thei
chosen aud efficient delegate in Con
gress. He has also drawn upon tht
State of Kansas for Mr., Moonlight tc
fill the Office Of Governor of the Ter
ritory of Wyoming.
These radical departures from th
just and proper position original!
taken by President Cleveland and S,
explicitly stated in his interview will
the Tennessee delegation, may admit o
explanations satisfactory to the EXecu
tive mind, but as they stand in all thci
glaring Inconsistency Of practice witt
promise, they furnish vivid illustra
tions of the uncertain reliance to b
placed, as rule, upon all dispenser
OF public patronage.
The President will in all probabilit.
adhere to his determination in tn
Matthews case, but it is well that h
should understand the reasons why tn
appointment is opposed, and that tn
people of Washington were encourage
in Il c maintenance of their position b.
his own expressed views to the sam
eject.